You could say that when it comes to teeth whitening options, we’re a bit spoiled for choice. There is no end to the strips, whitening toothpastes, kits, and devices marketed to improve the look of stained, dingy teeth. Dr. Todd Pizzi, a cosmetic dentist who provides professional teeth bleaching in Shrewsbury, MA, encourages you to ask yourself these five questions before deciding whether to move forward with whitening your teeth.
What types of discoloration are you treating?
First, take a good look at your teeth. Are your teeth noticeably stained by years of using tobacco or drinking tea and coffee? If so, over-the-counter bleaching products are not likely to achieve the desired results. If your teeth show only light staining caused by a buildup of plaque, you may find that whitening toothpaste or mouthwash is sufficient to give your teeth a polished look.
How healthy are your teeth and gums?
Your dentist recommends that you seek teeth whitening only if your teeth and gums are generally healthy. If you have mouth sores or tender gums, bathing them in bleaching formula could be extremely painful and slow to heal. Your teeth should have sufficient enamel to absorb the solution, otherwise you may experience sensitivity during or after the whitening treatment.
Have you had dental restorations?
Certain dental materials do not respond to whitening. Composite fillings, used to treat cavities, are one example. Porcelain crowns and veneers are also unsuitable for bleaching. If you attempt to whiten your restorations along with the rest of your teeth, the results will appear highly unnatural. This is especially important if your restorations are in the front or side of your mouth in plain sight. If this is the case, you might do well to consider either cosmetic bonding or porcelain veneers.
How much time do you have?
Different whitening methods involve different treatment times. Our office offers KoR Whitening Deep Bleaching System, a combination of chairside and home whitening. While most patients see noticeable results in as little as three or four days, maximum whitening can be seen at the end of the 14-day standard treatment period. If you don’t have the time visit our office, you may be a candidate for over-the-counter whitening kits, some of which offer results within seven to ten days.
How much are you willing to invest?
The good news that there are whitening options to suit nearly any budget. Most over-the-counter whitening toothpaste and mouthwash costs less than $10, or you can expect to pay up to $50 for drugstore bleaching kits. At the other end of the spectrum is porcelain veneers. Although veneers and whitening are not the same, your dentist often uses veneers for teeth that do not respond to bleaching.
About Your Shrewsbury Dentists
To learn more about our services, or to schedule an appointment with one of our doctors, contact our Shrewsbury, MA dentist office at (508) 842-8838. We welcome residents of Shrewsbury, Boylston, North and South Grafton, Milford, and the surrounding communities.
